Help for ten year old with insomnia

27 replies

user1496146479 · 13/11/2025 22:15

Posting here for traffic!!

My ten year old daughter who is suffering with anxiety which is currently really impacting her ability to sleep and subsequently all the family.

Started back in August, following a holiday in which she experienced jet lag when we returned. This has almost settled, and then she had an injury.

Currently she is unable to settle to sleep at night. Can be up til gone midnight sobbing, and typical anxiety symptoms, stomach pain, nausea , occasional vomiting etc. None of this persists in the morning.

Is worried about going to bed from late afternoon, saying she won’t be able to sleep etc.

We have tried breathing exercises, counting, magnesium cream & drink, calm carry etc, nothing works.

Tried her in our bed, slept in her bed, no joy.

Got prescribed Melatonin (2mg) no impact yet, perhaps worse…

Has started missing school due to exhaustion.

On multiple waiting lists for therapy/counselling, no light here.

DH & I both work FT & are just about clinging on! Siblings started to get impacted too due to all the upset/stress etc

Wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?

please!

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Original poster

user1496146479 · 16/11/2025 08:17

bartyfum · 14/11/2025 22:00

Hi. Just wanted to post with my own experience. This was me on and off for most of my childhood from around her age. It subsided a little bit in early adulthood with occasional flare ups. Last year it really flared up again and I had several months of severe anxiety and insomnia. I was back and forth to the GP who had little to offer. Like you, I tried every possible solution. Anyway, I eventually paid privately to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed Ocd (sleep / anxiety around sleep became one of my obsessions) and prescribed Sertraline (lowest dose) which has completely changed my life. I have also had some great psychotherapy.

If I could go back and speak to my mum, I’d say this. I know she did her very best but I really wish she’d seen the anxiety for what it was: crippling, serious and something I became very ashamed off as I was so aware of how it impacted my parents and siblings. I wish I’d had psychiatric input early on and also started medication and therapy.

Wishing you all the best. You sound like a lovely, caring mum. Sending hugs to you and your little one.

Thank you. We really are trying to help her. As mentioned up thread, I will get her seen regardless as I think she needs support to manage her wider anxiety anyway outside of this current flare up.

I won’t lie, we aren’t perfect, and I do dread the hours of 8.30 to ??? Lately just trying to get her settled etc. DH & I are both shattered, work is relentless. And trying to minimise the sibling impact & not have her guilty for it. It’s all just so tough

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Original poster

user1496146479 · 16/11/2025 08:18

GettingFestiveNow · 16/11/2025 08:13

How much exercise does she get? Does she nap during the day?

Very active. Doesn’t sleep late etc. Swims, football, dance etc. No daytime naps. She can be literally exhausted, rubbing her eyes & will fight it. Worst was she was fighting it one night til nearly 4am.

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